It garnered one of the worst scores the show has ever seen and left the judges in stunned silence - but former MP Ann Widdecombe's salsa brought the house down on Strictly Come Dancing last night.She lacked style, rhythm, and, well, any dancing ability whatsoever, but the politician formerly nicknamed Doris Karlov gave one of the funniest performances in Strictly history.

The 63-year-old Conservative made the audience - and usually sullen judge Craig Revel Horwood - howl laughing with her self-deprecating quips and lumpen attempt at Latin.

Highly entertaining: The couple received the show's lowest ever salsa scoreHighlights of the routine included Ann pushing away her partner Anton Du Beke when he gyrated his rump in front of her, ****oning up his shirt after he'd ripped it open to his navel and engaging him in a chat half way through.

But the masterstroke was the finale, when Anton lifted the retired politician and span her round, in a move that would have been more at home in the Commonwealth Games hammer throwing competition.

As she left the dancefloor soundtracked by riotous applause from the audience to face the judges, the former MP for Maidstone and the Weald admitted to show host Bruce Forsyth she'd almost unintentionally done the splits in the routine too.

Her unique 'dancing' style is fast elevating the former member for Maidstone to the status of a John Sergeant-esque Strictly treasure.

Stationary salsa: Ann spent quite a lot of her routine just stood there while Anton danced around her

Dancing the salsa, Ann had the fluidity of a fridge and barely moved her feet as instead, Anton strutted his stuff around her.Beforehand on the show, Ann had warned she would have her own take on the salsa, saying in footage filmed at training: 'You don't need to dance the latin as if it is a seduction ritual, you can turn it into a good old "jolly hockey sticks" song. We'll be doing a salsa that Queen Victoria could have watched without blushing.'However, Ann appeared to have taken herself literally and danced with all the flexibility of said hockey stick.

The dance is already being hailed by viewers across the internet as a 'TV classic' and ended up getting just 12 points - the lowest score for a salsa in the show's history.

Comedy horror: Ann was stiff and awkward as she attempted the usually ***y salsa - but Queen Victoria would have been impressed

Kicking off the judges' comments was Alesha Dixon who said: 'That might not have been salsa but it was highly entertaining and I quite enjoyed it.'Bruno Tonioli said he was left 'speechless' by their routine and said: 'It was unique and compelling, somewhere between horror and comedy. It resembled a dance and was definitely watchable.'I don't know what to say to be honest.'

You spin me right round: Anton looked as though he was struggling a bit as he swung Ann around in the air

Strictly bottom: Ann and Anton are given the show's lowest ever salsa score

And then, as host Bruce turned to judge Craig Revel Horwood, Ann jumped in and said: 'Oh, don't bother, it's ok,' to loud laughter from the studio.The Australian judge responded: 'There is not one word in the English language that could describe what 10 million people have just witnessed', to which Ann replied: 'You haven't got a zero - you might as well give us one and have done with it.'Then to her obvious delight, Ann spotted that Craig was grinning, to which she exclaimed: 'He's smiling, he's smiling!'Bruce quipped: 'You've made him laugh! I've been waiting for that for seven years! A celebrity has made him laugh!'

Len Goodman added: 'It was a bit like the hokey kokey. But you didn't shake it all about very much. That was a salsa the likes of which we will never, ever see again.'

East End Boy: Actor Scott Maslen and his partner Natalie Lowe performed a Footloose meets Flashdance routine

Then the judges gave their scores - with Craig awarding them a '1' - giving the pair a total of 12, as Ann shrugged and said : 'My highlight of the night was making Craig laugh.'If you missed Ann's legendary salsa, you can watch it again at the bottom of this story.

At the opposite of the leader board, three acts tied in first place with 32 points each - Eastenders star Scott Maslen and his partner Natalie Lowe, actress Kara Tointon and her partner Artem Chigvintsev and psychologist Pamela Stephenson with James Jordan.

First to take the high score was Maslen who sizzled on the dance floor with his and Lowe's Flashdance meets Footloose routine.Len said: 'All the way through I went "go on my son!" It was a really good salsa, well done', while Alesha added: 'Nice to see you really going for it, full of energy and pizazz.'

From Russia With Love: Kara Tointon and her partner Artem Chigvintsev performed a foxtrot

Doctor in the house: Pamela Stephenson and her partner James Jordan performed a ***y salsa

Bruno gushed: 'Scott, so strong, so tight, so footloose. Always your eye on the prize because you know you're going to get it. And after tonight you're going to get plenty'

Pamela Stephenson also blew the judges away as she came on dressed in a doctor's coat which she whipped off to reveal a red dress as she and James launched into a ***y salsa.Craig said: 'Darling you went off like a firecracker. Amazing hip action, you claimed the floor once again, well done, amazing.'Alesha added: 'I love you Pamela, your body moves effortlessly, I think that was the best of the night and you're a force to be reckoned with.'

Great start: TV presenter Matt Baker and his partner Aliona Vilani impressed the judges with their foxtrot

Brave attempt: Former goalkeeper Peter Shilton and Erin Boag performed a salsa

Kara and Artem also received high praise for their 'stunning' foxtrot which they performed dancing to From Russia With Love.Bruno told them they were a'picture of sophisticated elegance', while Alesha gushed: 'You are a fine dancer, that was a stunning routine.'

The first out on the Strictly floor was TV presenter Matt baker and his partner Aliona Vilani who performed a foxtrot.And they impressed the judges with Bruce declaring, 'What a start to the show', while Len added: 'You're not supposed to come out and dance that well the second week. Really great start.'They were given a score of 31 and up next was former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who performed a salsa with his partner Erin Boag.

Princess: Tina O'Brien and Jared Murillo were commended for their graceful foxtrot

But while they were praised for their brave attempt, they didn't impress the judges, who scored them just 17 points, as Bruno told Peter: 'I don't know if it was a wise decision to attract attention to your bum. You look like you have cramps my darling.'Craig was even less complimentary and added: 'Very stompy, very wooden I'm afraid. That walk you did looked like you'd broken your ankle.'It was then the turn of actress Tina O'Brien and her partner Jared Murillo as they danced an elegant and graceful foxtrot which earned them a score of 26.

Alesha told them they were 'charming throughout', while Bruno told Tina: 'You look like a little princess tonight.'

Actress Patsy Kensit was next to take to the floor with her partner Robin Windsor and they performed a salsa which was praised as being 'full of rhythm' and won them a score of 28.Bruno told Patsy: 'Jezebel with a ****er pout! That is the way to go!', while Alesha added: 'Wow, you are like a different woman tonight.'On afterwards was magician Paul Daniels and his partner Ola Jordan who performed a foxtrot but only managed a score of 21, although Alesha told Paul: Ballroom definitely suits you more than Latin and I think there's more to come.'

Magic! Paul Daniels and Ola Jordan performed a foxtrot on a floor on which images of playing cards were reflected

Flying the dancing flag for across the Pond was former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams and her partner Brendan Cole, who also danced a foxtrot.They scored 26 points with Alesha telling them: 'I thought you were quite charming.'Bruno added: 'Beautiful and elegant but you slipped and there is still work to be done.'

Charming: Michelle Williams and Brendan Cole begin their foxtrot

DJ Goldie and Kristina Rhianoff were next up to perform the foxtrot, with the star giving it his own unique which won him praise - and them a score of 26.Bruno said: - 'I like the beginning and the end as it had a free jazzy feel that really suited you. But you didn't get your frame right.'Craig added:'Your weight was just a little too far back, but the whole interpretation was just fantastic.'And Alesha said: 'You put your own little Goldie swagger on this routine.'

Swagger: DJ Goldie - who performed the foxtrot with Kristina Rihanoff - was praised for giving the dance his own touch

Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said about actress Felicity Kendal and her partner Vincent Simone.Scoring 25, they were told by Alesha that overall it was 'a little bit average and I was underwhelmed' while Len told them: 'Everything was okay but everything needs to improve slightly. All coming along, on the right road.'Up next was rugby star Gavin Henson and his partner Katya Virshilas, who performed a salsa - and ripped off his shirt to flash his impressive six pack as a finale.

But it wasn't received well, and before they were scored 19, Bruno told him: 'I cannot believe it, somebody as good looking as you are looks as self conscious as you do.'

And Alesha added: 'Sorry Gavin, was a little bit disappointed and your muscles didn't distract from the face - you're not a salsa boy.'Actor Jimi Mistry wrapped up the night with a foxtrot with partner Flavia Cacace and was told that he was 'one to watch'.Tonight will see the first couple eliminated in a live show which will be broadcast at 7.30pm on BBC1.

Not a salsa boy: Gavin Henson and his partner Katya Virshilas

One to watch: Jimi Mistry and his partner Flavia Cacace performed a 'cheeky' foxtrot